STARTS (UP) Synonyms: 610 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'start' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin , commence , inaugurate , initiate , and usher in . While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start , opposed to stop , applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages. // the work started slowly

Q: How is 'begin' related to other words for 'start'?

Begin , start , and commence are often interchangeable, with begin , opposed to end , being the most general. // begin a trip // began dancing

Q: How does the word 'commence' relate to other synonyms for 'start'?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start . // commence firing // commenced a conversation

Q: When could 'inaugurate' be used to replace 'start'?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance. // the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

Q: In what contexts can 'initiate' take the place of 'start'?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue. // initiated diplomatic contacts

Q: How are the words 'usher in' and 'inaugurate' related as synonyms of 'start'?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate . // ushered in a period of economic decline

start 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstärt

Definition of start

as in to begin

to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

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Relevance

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as in to commence

to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment

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as in to establish

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

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as in to activate

to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

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as in to jump

to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

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as in to protrude

to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

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start

2 of 4

noun (1)

as in beginning

the point at which something begins knew from the start of the game that he would win easily

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

starts

3 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of start

as in jumps

to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

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as in founds

to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in activates

to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in begins

to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in protrudes

to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commences

to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

starts

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural of start

as in beginnings

the point at which something begins knew from the start of the game that he would win easily

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word start different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How is begin related to other words for start?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip

began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for start?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing

commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace start?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

In what contexts can initiate take the place of start?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of start?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of start

Verb

When to start getting a mammogram For women at average risk, the American Cancer Society says women ages 40 to 44 may choose to begin annual mammograms. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 Financial markets slumped on Friday as investors bailed on technology stocks amid concerns that companies exposed to artificial intelligence are starting to wobble. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

Michael DiPietro made 25 saves in his second start of the season for the Bruins. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Offensive line shuffled up Dykes said in earlier in the week that TCU looked at everything throughout the program during the 2-3 start and would make the necessary adjustments to try and turn things around. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026

Verb

Maybe Israel starts adding more trust with different people in the system. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 And, not only that, but the swing starts oscillating faster and faster. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Noun

Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, who had 19 saves for his third shutout in his last six starts, wasn’t pressured often, and the few shots that did fly his way missed the net. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 In previous slow starts to games this season, various phases of MU’s attack (offense, defense, special teams) picked each other up. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start

Recent Examples of Synonyms for start

Verb

Years ago, Maximilian Schnell left his job and his life in Paris and began a nomadic lifestyle on his bicycle.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
Tesla began taking $50,000 reservations—or $250,000 for one of 1,000 limited Founders Series cars—and targeted a 2020 launch.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of begin

Verb

Holmes was convicted of fraud in 2018 and sentenced to just over 11 years in federal prison, commencing in May 2023.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
The evening commenced with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as literary and fashion insiders arrived at the private members club.

— Brianna J. Heath, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of commence

Verb

Around the same time, Congress established the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, an administrative body that adjudicates patent disputes.

— Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
During preliminary sea trials, operators aboard the carrier used the ship’s Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to establish a beyond-line-of-sight connection with the aircraft through a satellite network.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of establish

Verb

Users can speak to HomeView to control smart home devices, such as, for example, telling Siri to close the smart blinds or activate smart locks.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026
Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

But while most young people are struggling to land their first opportunity, some have jumped the line by building their own small businesses and startups—and young founders are now ramping up hiring even as companies across industries slow theirs.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Sustained Spanish Boom Spanish premieres at home jumped a record 83% between 2021-2025, from 40 to 73 local fiction premieres.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of jump

Noun

So, Ohtani kept trying to work his way back to the mound for weeks after receiving a lubricating Orthovisc injection in his knee at the beginning of the All-Star break.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
The October introduction marks the beginning of a broader evolution for Lune+Aster, with additional innovation planned across complexion, eye and lip categories through 2027.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginning

Verb

These features of slot machines and For You pages pique the interest of neural circuitry originating deep in the brain, called the mesolimbic pathway.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Apple told CyberGuy that DarkSword originated from sophisticated mercenary spyware developed at considerable expense.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of originate

Cite this Entry

Style

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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